Mineralverksemd på norsk kontinentalsokkel – opning av areal og strategi for forvaltning av ressursane

Brief

Norway has formally proposed to open parts of its continental shelf to commercial exploration for deep-sea minerals.

Meld. St. 25 outlines a phased, scientifically grounded strategy for developing this sector in ways that support green transition goals, safeguard the marine environment, and promote national and international competitiveness.

The move signals Norway’s commitment to responsibly unlocking seabed resources while maintaining its leadership in ocean stewardship.

Stakeholders from industry, academia, Indigenous groups, environmental NGOs, and allied governments should pay close attention to the framework and licensing mechanisms now being established.

Origins

The initiative is grounded in the 2019 Seabed Minerals Act (Havbotnminerallova), which grants the Norwegian state exclusive rights to manage mineral resources on the continental shelf.

A key tenet is that resource development must align with environmental, safety, and co-use considerations, including compatibility with fisheries and other marine activities. Norway will follow a three-tiered permit system:

  • Opening of Areas: Triggered only after a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).
  • Exploration Licenses: Non-exclusive rights for geological surveys and sampling.
  • Exploitation Licenses: Exclusive rights, subject to approval of a detailed extraction plan supported by a secondary EIA.

The Oil and Energy Ministry (OED) and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) will oversee implementation, alongside contributions from the Environment Agency and research institutions.

Strategy

The government intends to open a specified portion of the continental shelf, excluding sensitive zones such as hydrothermal vent systems, which will be explicitly protected from disturbance.

This move enables private firms to apply for licenses and conduct data-gathering that supplements state-led mapping.

Norway emphasizes that opening an area does not guarantee mining; all activity will proceed only if environmental and technical conditions are met. The report commits to:

  • A precautionary, stepwise approach to development.
  • A licensing regime that ensures transparency and competition.
  • Provisions for coexistence with fisheries and environmental safeguards.
  • Integration of mineral policy into broader ocean management plans.

Surveys & Estimates

The NPD has been surveying Norwegian waters since 2011, identifying considerable deposits of:

  • Polymetallic sulfides rich in copper, zinc, cobalt, silver, and gold — primarily along the Mohns Ridge and Knipovich Ridge.
  • Manganese crusts containing cobalt, titanium, rare earth elements, and vanadium on underwater seamounts and ridges.

The estimated quantities are promising:

  • 38 million tons of copper, 45 million tons of zinc, and over 3 million tons of cobalt across sulfide and crust deposits.
  • Large reserves of rare earth elements like neodymium, scandium, and dysprosium — some reaching 70 - 85 times current global annual extraction rates.

Assessments

Norwegian authorities conducted a comprehensive EIA process between 2020 and 2023.

While acknowledging significant knowledge gaps, officials concluded that initial exploration poses minimal environmental risk.

Any future extraction will require project-specific EIAs. The assessment emphasized:

  • Exploration is expected to have low environmental impact.
  • Exploitation will only be approved if demonstrably safe and sustainable.
  • Sensitive ecosystems, notably active hydrothermal vents, will be off-limits.
  • Socioeconomic benefits include value creation, employment, and reduced reliance on imports for critical minerals.

Governance

The Norwegian model leans heavily on scientific research, open data-sharing, and international cooperation. Key measures include:

  • Continued state-led mapping through the Mareano program.
  • Mandatory data-sharing from license holders.
  • A national research initiative targeting sustainable technologies and environmental baselines.
  • Creation of a multi-stakeholder forum for guiding research priorities.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes phased exploration of deep-sea mineral resources on Norway’s continental shelf, excluding ecologically sensitive zones.
  • Establishes rigorous environmental safeguards, with exploitation contingent on secondary impact assessments and state approval.
  • Provides early access to high-value minerals vital to clean energy and defense supply chains, particularly copper, cobalt, and rare earths.
  • Positions Norway as a global leader in knowledge-driven, ecosystem-based marine mineral governance.
  • Aligns seabed policy with climate and security goals, reinforcing Europe’s critical mineral autonomy.